List of POEA Accredited Agencies

Illegal recruiters and illegal recruitment agencies are the vicious enemies of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). The goal of these people and agencies is to trick the OFWs and earn a lot of money from it.

Many Filipinos were tricked by illegal recruitment agencies. Some of these agencies asked money for the “quick” processing of documents and other things. After receiving a lot of money from prospecting Filipino workers, these heartless people were suddenly gone without a trace. I saw a lot of victims crying about their lost money. Some even sold their property just to pay the illegal recruiters.

These incidents could have been avoided if the victims were more careful. The victims should first checked with the POEA if the recruiter or agency that were “hiring” them were legitimate.

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POEA stands for Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. It is an office under the Department of Labor (DoLE), which deals with employment outside of the country. All recruitment agencies are required by law to register with POEA. Thus, the POEA is the agency that can tell if the recruitment agency is illegal or not.

Legitimate recruitment agencies are duly registered to POEA. These registered recruitment agencies are called as POEA accredited agencies.

One of the important resource of POEA is its “List of Accredited Agencies”, which can be accessed on this page of the POEA website.

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A page on the List of POEA Accredited Agencies.

The information on the list is detailed. You can see the name of the recruitment agency, its address, contact information and its official representative. The important information on this list is the status of the recruitment agency. You will know if the agency has a valid license. This is the easy way of knowing if the recruitment agency that is hiring you is illegal or not.

The “List of Accredited Agencies” also has a search box that you can use in searching for information about a recruitment agency.

Working abroad is never easy, especially when there are evil people out there who are out to deceive you. Don't be a victim. Use POEA's list of accredited agencies to protect yourself and your money from illegal recruiters and agencies.

If you need more information about your recruitment agency, please call POEA's hotline numbers: 722-1144 and 722-1155. You can also email POEA at this address: info@poea.gov.ph

Visit the POEA website for more information.

Read my article about POEA's checklist for those who are planning to work outside of the Philippines. The checklist contains step-by-step procedures that all OFWs should follow.

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Do you have any question about POEA's list of accredited agencies? Please tell us your question by leaving a comment.

Authorization Letter for PRC License Renewal

Many commenters asked me if it is possible for another person to renew their PRC license. This question was asked by professionals who are busy in their jobs or those who work outside of the Philippines (Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs).

The answer to that question is a big “YES”! The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) allows professionals to send their representatives in submitting the renewal of professional license. Professionals who wish to this must issue an authorization letter or a Special Power of Attorney for their representatives.

The application form for PRC renewal also has a slip, which should be signed by the authorized representative. The form can be downloaded here. The slip for signature of your representative can be found on the second page of the application form.

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Just print the form and then write the required information. Your authorized representative should bring the authorization letter or the Special Power of Attorney and the signed application form when he/she go to the PRC. You authorized representative should also bring a government issued ID.

It is good that the PRC allows professionals to have other people deal the renewal of their professional registration. Filipino professionals are usually busy with their works and projects that renewal of PRC ID becomes a big hassle.

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NOTE: An anonymous commenter left this information regarding SPA and authorization letter:

My understanding is there is a difference between an SPA and an authorization letter. If your representative is a licensed professional then authorization is enough as PRC will also ask for your representative's PRC id. On the otherhand, if your representative is not a licensed professional then you need to have a SPA. I believe if you're abroad, the SPA can be processed in the embassy where you live.

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Do you have any questions about application or renewal of PRC ID? Please don't be afraid to ask that question. Tell me your question by posting a comment.

How to Change Your Name on PRC ID due to Marriage

I receive a lot of questions on this blog, and I am happy that I am receiving questions from readers. Many of these questions are related to registration of professionals to the Professional Registration Commission (PRC).

Today, I will answer at length a question left on one of my posts by an Anonymous commenter. The question of the anonymous commenter, I think, will concern all Philippine registered professionals, especially the women professionals. Here is her question:

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As of this date (October 26, 2012), the PRC satellite offices located at the SM Malls only accepts application for the renewal of PRC ID. Other services, including the initial registration of new professionals, can only be processed in the regular PRC offices. Included in these “other services” is the changing the registered name due to marriage.

Requirements in Changing Name on PRC ID Due to Marriage

1. Duly accomplished Petition Form that is notarized. The Petition Form can be obtained from the PRC office or can be downloaded here.

2. Certificate of Marriage or Marriage Contract issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO). The certificate or contract should be printed on NSO security paper.

3. One copy of 1.5 inch by 1.5 inch picture.

4. Metered documentary stamps, which are also available in the PRC office.

5. Statutory fee of 225 pesos.

Procedures

1. Photocopy all the supporting documents (i.e. marriage contract). You must both have the original and the photocopy when you go to the PRC.

2. Fill-up the Petition Form and have it notarized. PRC Offices also offer notary services. For PRC Manila, notary services is available at the Legal Division, which is located on the 2nd floor of the Main Building.

3. Proceed to Registration Division (for PRC Manila), located at the ground floor of the Main Building, for verification of your registered name. This division will also asses the fees that you will pay. You must have metered documentary stamps before you proceed to this step. For PRC Manila, metered documentary stamps are available at the Customer Service Counter.

4. For PRC Manila, go to Records Section located at the ground floor of Annex Building for the verification of your examination records.

5. Go to the cashier for the payment of fees.

6. Bring your receipt, Petition Form and supporting documents to one of the following windows: Window 16, Window 18 and Window 30. Get your claim slip.

7. Claim your new PRC ID as scheduled on your claim slip.

Some Notes

1. There is a possibility that your record in the PRC will not match your marriage contract. Bring your NSO Birth Certificate as another document to support your marriage contract.

2. Teachers follow a different procedure. They should go to 3 rd floor of the Annex Building of PRC Manila. For registration they should go to Window 21 or Window 22. For the records, they should go to Window 9.

3. Note that the procedures outlined here are for those who processing their registration at PRC Manila. Regional offices of the PRC may have different procedures for the changing of registered name on the PRC ID.

4. For more information, please visit the PRC website.

5. Ms. Paula Magpantay commented below that the fees for change of name is 225 Pesos. Notary fee is 50 pesos. Renewal of license (if on time) is 450 pesos. According to her, there is penalty for late renewal but it will not cost more than 2,500 pesos.

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Do you have further questions regarding the changing of name on the PRC ID or on other processes? Or do you experienced registering at the PRC? Tell us your questions and experiences by leaving a comment.